What is the practice of corporate spying to gain competitive advantages called?

The practice of corporate spying to gain competitive advantages is known as Commercial Espionage. This term specifically refers to the illegal or unethical activities that companies engage in to obtain secret information, trade secrets, or confidential data from competitors. This can involve various methods, such as infiltrating companies, stealing documents or sensitive information, or even employing tactics that might exploit technological vulnerabilities.

Understanding this term is essential, as Commercial Espionage represents a serious violation of ethical business practices and can lead to significant legal consequences. It often undermines fair competition and can result in economic harm not just to the targeted companies but to the industry as a whole. Recognizing the implications of such activities highlights the importance of establishing robust counterintelligence measures to protect sensitive information within corporate settings.

The other terms listed, such as Corporate Intelligence and Competitive Analysis, refer to legitimate business practices focused on gathering market information and understanding competitors without resorting to unethical methods. Business Surveillance might involve monitoring legal activities, but it lacks the illicit connotation tied to Commercial Espionage.